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What to do When Your Dog Chews Your Furniture
The Indian pet population has grown from 7 million back in 2006 to over 10 million in 2014 with an average of 6,00,000 pets being adopted every year.While the growing social acceptance of pets in India has led to public spaces becoming more pet-friendly, many dog owners in particular still struggle to create a space within their homes that are both pet-friendly and pet-proof.
Coming home to find your coffee table or couch mauled by your beloved dog can prove to be very frustrating. If your dog is still a puppy it could very well be that his gums are irritated due to teething and that chewing alleviates the frustration. Older dogs that chew on furniture usually do so out of sheer boredom or separation anxiety. While it may just be a stage your puppy or dog is going through it remains a problem that needs to be addressed immediately with both firmness and compassion.
Preventing your dog from chewing your furniture
Dogs become bored quite easily, especially if they are of a breed that is designed to hunt or be active. Without proper physical stimulation, your dog could resort to chewing on your wooden furniture to ease his boredom. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety also need to be entertained while you are not at home to prevent them from becoming destructive. You can try leaving the radio or television on to create a sense of companionship within a safe pet-friendly home environment as well as making sure your dog has plenty toys to keep him occupied while indoors and alone.
Provide chew toys and treats
In order to prevent your dog from chewing on furniture, give him/her chew toys or treats. Chew toys are designed to not only keep a dog entertained but to relieve the symptoms associated with teething in puppies as well. There is a large variety of chew toys available from one of the many pet stores in India including Dogkart, India's favorite online pet store. Make sure to read the labels of any products purchased to ensure you are familiar with all the usage guidelines before giving the product to your dog.
Ensure that your furniture tastes bad
Regardless of how bored he is, no dog will chew on something that tastes bad. There are a number of products on the market designed especially for the purpose of making your furniture taste unappetizing to your dogs. You simply have to spray your wooden furniture with the deterrent and your dog will soon realize that furniture is not meant for chewing. If you are unable to find a suitable product in-store or online, you can make your own by mixing one part vinegar with six parts water for an easy-to-use and affordable home-made remedy.
If you are able to catch your dog in the act of chewing your furniture a firm ‘no’ command might suffice in breaking his bad habit. This may take numerous attempts but when combined with the above methods, you will have a significantly better chance of correcting the destructive behavior. It is important to act immediately and always remain consistent in your approach. Let your dog know you mean business and you will soon be rid of the worry of having badly mauled furniture on display in your home.
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